It’s that time of the year when there are jobs that you should begin doing. The most significant thing to consider is to turn on and check your heating system. Do you have a contract with a service provider to either change your oil filter or air filter on your forced air gas system? This is crucial to the operating system, so there are no issues during the winter.
The second most important item to consider is cleaning and flushing out your gutters and leaders, especially if you haven’t done this in a while. You will have to do it again after the leaves have fallen. However, waiting may block the drain and overflow your gutters, which can lead to water going behind your soffits and coming inside your walls, causing mold.
The best way to keep your gutters clean permanently is to install leaf filters. I just had this completed last week. I became tired of getting up on my ladder, the danger of falling, getting dirty, and wasting precious time. You can order them online and search for someone to install them. Go to your local online neighborhood community where you will find a handyman to do it. I saved many thousands of dollars by doing it this way. I had an estimate provided by a major installer, material (the same product that I found online), and labor for over $5000!
The next thing to consider is to begin putting away your outdoor furniture, or if no room, cover them for the winter. Did you clean your barbecue grill, and detach your propane tank? If you have a snowblower, have you tried to start it (I did this past weekend, while temperatures were still in the 70s). Waiting until it is colder or worse right after a snowfall could be more difficult to start. It would be advisable to change the oil with a straight 30W type and change the spark plug.
If you haven’t yet seeded and fertilized your lawn, it’s not too late to accomplish this task. Rainfall has been almost non-existent for weeks. Unless you have an automatic sprinkler system (assuming it is still on) or haven’t done much watering, your lawn may have gone dormant or possible insect damage from chinch bugs or grubs due to not being proactive with any applications. If your lawn can be pulled up and you notice a “C” shaped insect, then you may have grubs. Although a little late, you may notice Chinch bugs by taking an open-ended can pushing it into the ground right near the brown and green areas, and adding water. If you have them, they will be apparent when they float to the top of the water. You can Google photos of Grubs and chinch bugs. If you apply any materials, I suggest hiring a licensed and insured professional or if you are a do-it-yourself homeowner, always read the label instructions before putting down any materials.
A mix of 30-50% tall fescues, hybrid ryes, and 20% blue grass will provide a great lawn next spring. Spread the seed at 1-3 lbs per 1000 sq ft with a rotary-type spreader. You should add some topsoil dressing to minimize the loss of seed by birds and heavy rains. Apply fertilizer at 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. Again, follow the label instructions. You might also want to feed your shrubbery with a specific amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash. A soil test should be considered if you haven’t fertilized in many years. This link will provide excellent information to guide you: www.hgic.clemson.edu. Watering lightly 10-15 minutes every other day as per local watering laws, will promote some germination within 7-14 days depending on the weather and temperatures. Ryzomes and tillers via the root system will continue to expand and grow a thicker lawn up until the ground begins to freeze.
Driveway cracks which will allow water to get in, and freeze during the winter will cause damage. It’s a bit late, but if you can find any type of asphalt driveway sealer at your local or big box stores, to fill in those cracks. I just did an area on my driveway with an asphalt patch 7 days ago and it is now hard. You may want to call a local company to perform this task. You can Google driveway sealing companies and get a few estimates.
If you have sidewalks, I would suggest that you check those slabs that might not be level and cause someone to trip and possibly break a leg, arm, or worse a head injury. Fixing those issues now will save you headaches later on. Check and see if your insurance policy covers you, even though they may be owned by your local village or town. However, you are responsible for repairing them.
Saving time and money and completing these chores will minimize and eliminate headaches later on and you will be able to enjoy the fall and holidays that will soon be here.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com
